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Can’t export to KML from Google Maps? Here’s a workaround.

July 10, 2011

As part of the recent Google Maps redesign, the ability to export your map to KML was mistakenly removed. According to a post in the Google Maps support forum, the feature will be added back in to Google Maps as soon as possible. In the meantime, here’s a workaround for you:
1 — Set the map the way you’d like it.
2 — Click the “link” icon in the top right corner.
3 — Copy the link below the “Paste link in email or IM”.
4 — Paste the address into your address bar and then add &output=kml to the end of it.
The image below helps explain how steps #2 and #3 work:

export-map.jpg

No timeframe was given for the return of the KML link, but I expect they’ll fix it fairly soon. Let us know if you have any trouble getting this workaround to work for you.

About Mickey Mellen

Mickey has been using Google Earth since it was released in 2005, and has created a variety of geo-related sites including Google Earth Hacks. He runs a web design firm in Marietta, GA, where he lives with his wife and two kids.

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PLEASE NOTE: Google Earth Blog is no longer writing regular posts. As a result, we are not accepting new comments or questions about Google Earth. If you have a question, use the official Google Earth and Maps Forums or the Google Earth Community Forums.

Comments

  1. Jim says

    July 10, 2011 at 5:41 pm

    Thanks for the post. Unfortunately, I am not seeing the “link” button. Since the change, I only get the “Email” and “Print” icons. Any suggestions? I appreciate the help

  2. Tim says

    July 11, 2011 at 12:32 am

    It will only export to the first waypoint. So if I have a route with multiple towns, the exported kml stops at the first town.
    Using Firefox 5.0 on Windows 7.

  3. Paul says

    October 29, 2011 at 8:40 am

    unable to export KML, ironically i have been using it for the last 3 weeks or so, and now both links (google earth and KML) takes you to google earth.

  4. Fedir says

    December 12, 2011 at 6:47 am

    Works fine. Google could do this link to simplify the life of it’s users.

  5. Paul says

    September 10, 2012 at 11:17 am

    Unfortunately Google seems to have removed support for the workaround, and I still don’t see a KML link.

  6. Alex says

    July 7, 2016 at 1:52 pm

    when is the last time this worked? tried it today and no downloadable file was produced



PLEASE NOTE: Google Earth Blog is no longer writing regular posts. As a result, we are not accepting new comments or questions about Google Earth. If you have a question, use the official Google Earth and Maps Forums or the Google Earth Community Forums.

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